I'm not entirely sure how non-believers can dissociate themselves from such prayers. One Atheist in the audience I spoke to after the event pointed out that although 3 of the panel confessed to being lapsed Christians or non-believers, they all joined in mouthing the words to the prayer. Possibly not as easy to dissociate yourself as some may feel. The pressure felt by the candidates to join in with the prayers shows exactly why I feel uncomfortable when prayers become part of a non-religious event.

I shall need to remember in the future the difference between events that take place in a church which do not necessarily have acts of Christian worship and church sponsored events where they may be included. And I do hope that in the future we can have local hustings debates that are not church sponsored and can more accurately reflect the concerns of all local people.

I'm happy to attend church services (without taking part) and respect other people's beliefs and traditions, but I do not like acts of worship being mixed with what are meant to be inclusive events. I am very pleased that my schools since the age of 6 have not asked me to sit through or exclude myself from public acts of worship.